Would be a great signing in my opinion. Ben just hasn't fulfilled all that early promise in the relatively few starts he's been given and I don't see him as a first choice 9 for the European Champions. It would be sad should he go but this year will probably be Wiggy's last as first choice. Both Ben and Henry will need to decide if they want to stay and fight for the shirt. I hope they both do but neither exhibits the control to merit it yet.

Buy out Faf de Klerk from Sale for less than what Rhys Webb would cost plus have him all season / done.

Not totally serious about de Klerk but am about buying quality that's available through the season which means either a player just outside their Countries International squad or one who has just left it. recruitment of players like Figallo, Koch, Rhodes, etc has been outstanding and that's the type of player I'd like to see if we needed a new scrum-half.

What is Wiggles contract situation in terms of seasons left do we know?

A fine prospect he maybe, but we seem to have been here before and look whats happened

Quote:

saracens4lifeit's been one of my (admittedly few) bugbears with selection in recent years. For me Spencer has the best skillset of all our scrum halves and when he has been pushed into high-pressure games by necessity, there's been nothing to suggest that his lack of experience would be a liability at Premiership level.

Personally as a third scrum-half Henry Taylor for this season is perfect. Ideally he would move up to #2 next season, but may need another season for that. Wiggy may drop to #2 for another season as NdeK did 2 seasons ago to give him that extra year

The big question is - Ben is he ready to be #1 next year or will he always be a #2

if #1 then great - swap with wiggy
if #2 then lets get a replacement for Wiggy and Webb fits the bill

Park team from London
Just a park team from London
European Champions
Just European champions

If Rhys Webb comes to Sarries he comes. But why do we then use this story to have a go at one of OUR players. Not all of our players are going to be world class and do we want another player who is going to be away from the club for half the season?

For the time Ben gets on the pitch he has stayed massively loyal to the club (6 years plus),
He is an outstanding goal kicker, second only to Owen and he has a brilliant eye for a try.

StevenRobertsonI believe Henry Taylor is the best prospect I have seen in, well, half a lifetime of playing, coaching, reffing and watching.

High praise indeed Steven, I hope you're right! Are you saying the best prospect at 9 or even better than, say, Maro?

I recall being impressed by Henry at the u20 World Cup and delighted that we signed him. It was his speed that impressed me most - of thought, when passing and obviously his sniping runs. His kicking less so. Whenever I watched him playing for Bedford he seemed solid but not spectacular. Chatting to the regulars got mixed reviews but they were largely happier to praise another spectacularly quick 9 whose name escapes me. I've not yet managed to see him play for Storm. How is his overall game management? And can people advise on his kicking? I know a couple have posted that it has improved. How consistently does he hit the drop zone?

VR1997If Rhys Webb comes to Sarries he comes. But why do we then use this story to have a go at one of OUR players. Not all of our players are going to be world class and do we want another player who is going to be away from the club for half the season?
For the time Ben gets on the pitch he has stayed massively loyal to the club (6 years plus),
He is an outstanding goal kicker, second only to Owen and he has a brilliant eye for a try.

And in no way should that be construed as denigrating Ben who I believe is an excellent player. He would get into most premiership teams week in and week out and in some ways is unlucky that Wrigglesworth is such an integral cog in our way of playing. With any other scrum half, IMO Ben would play much more.

However Ben Spencer and Henry Taylor are completely different players and to me, Taylor, in addition, has that unique quality that one very rarely sees which is time on the ball. Maro had it and has it in abundance.

Ben played European rugby heroically for us six years ago and has been surprisingly underplayed since then. He needs game time. He should be kicking when Loz is at ten, I'm afraid, because too many points are being missed.

But if Henry Taylor is good enough, he's old enough and should get his chance.

Which means I don't see any need to sign Rhys Webb.

But I trust the coaching team.

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